cultural theology

 

Theologytoday blog is discussing a new book called “Everyday Theology” which brings up the idea of cultural exegesis. The book itself seems like something I’d be interested in blogging about.  I am currently working on an MPhil degree about something like this very concept.  But I don’t want to cosign on someone else’s blog right off the bat. Also, I have other books I have to read for my dissertation. But I would like to provide the following insight, considering my current academic work.

I have to point out that this concept has been put into use through at least two Church media literacy groups in the U.S. One is the Pauline Centre for Media Studies and the other is the Presbyterian Media Mission. Do check out their websites. If Vanhoozer’s topic interests you, please consider what these great organizations are trying to do and support them.

 I must also recommend a very difficult but indispensible book called “Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology” by Kathryn Tanner. It is the best book I have read in 4 years of graduate study.  Understanding what it means to call ourselves a church is going to further our ability to relate to what is not the church, and it starts by annihilating the assumption that we are a community with rigid borders that protect our “purity.” Cultures and even century long traditions evolve and modify all the time.